Recently we wrote about the four young adults who attended the SEEK Young Adult Conference in Salt Lake City earlier this month. Here is a reflection by Xochitl Santiago on her experience.
My experience at SEEK can be described in many ways, but if I had to choose a few words, they would be ‘Exciting’ and ‘Hopeful.’ Excited to live out my faith, to meet new Catholic friends, and to grow both in my relationship with God and with my fellow young adult parish community. Hopeful that I am not alone in my faith, that with God’s help, I can overcome sin, and that I am receiving a second chance at growth and renewal.
Sr. Miriam James Heidland’s Keynote invited us to reflect on the story of the Rich Young Man, who yearned for a deeper connection with God and yet, after receiving Jesus’ answer, walked away. This story struck me deeply and invited me to examine my heart for any worldly attachments.
I asked myself if, at times, I had resisted fully admitting my need for a Savior, and if there were areas in my life holding me back from deeper intimacy and surrender to God.
Sister spoke about Isaiah 49, and I invite you to read this passage where God reassures us of His unwavering love and His promise that we are never forgotten. “Could a nursing mother forget her infant?” God asks. And even should she forget, He says, “I will never forget you.” God has not forgotten your goodness, your desires, your sufferings, or your heart. I invite you to face the vulnerable parts of your life and reflect on your own heart – what might be holding you back from fully embracing God’s love, healing, and His call to transformation. Let us ask for the intercession and maternal love of Mother Mary, as well as God’s guidance, to fully surrender to Him.
Blessings: Always remember, you are loved.
Last week we wrote about the four young adults who attended the SEEK Young Adult Conference
in Salt Lake City earlier this month. Here is a reflection by Cristina Leon on her experience.
When I arrived at the SEEK conference, I felt nervous and unsure. My relationship with God wasn’t where I
wanted it to be, and being surrounded by so many devoted Catholics left me feeling intimidated and
overwhelmed. It wasn’t that people weren’t welcoming, but deep down, I carried a sense of not belonging. I
had unconsciously distanced myself from God for so long, and the shame of that separation weighed heavily
on me. Fr. Mike Schmitz’s words that evening stuck with me “shame often pushes us further from God.”
My schedule was filled with impactful sessions, but I couldn’t shake the
nagging doubt: were these the sessions God wanted me to attend? That
uncertainty lingered until I accidentally walked into the wrong session.
Too embarrassed to leave, I stayed and that’s when Sister Josephine
walked out to speak. She spoke about allowing Jesus to restore our
hearts, and in that moment, I knew I was exactly where God wanted me
to be. Sr. Josephine is a mental health counselor, which immediately
caught my attention because I’m studying to become one too. She prayed for us to hear God’s voice amidst all
the options, sessions, and opportunities SEEK offered, and to find His path for us. Her words resonated deeply,
and I felt a sense of peace and clarity. This was my moment of encounter.
Seek Conference
Several of Sr. Josephine’s insights stayed with me. She spoke about the importance of understanding our
hearts, how we were made, and what we were made for, before taking Jesus’ hand into the wilderness of our
hearts. Her words prompted me to reflect on my own heart, how it shapes my relationships with others and
with God. She reminded us that we were created out of the love shared between the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit. Which led me to ask myself “am I living like I was created with love, for love, and to be loved?” It’s
easy to get lost in what society tells us we need, chasing material things in search of belonging. Sr. Josephine
captured this struggle perfectly: “Sometimes we live like orphans. We run around the world and culture
looking for a place to belong, to fit in, and to feel connected. But Jesus has already accomplished this for us.
Through the sacramental life of the Church, we are literally minted into His flesh in baptism and sink deeper
into that reality through the other sacraments in the life of the church.”
Later, I attended another impactful session about the saints and their suffering. What touched me most was
the reminder that we all betray Jesus, yet He still chose to die for us. That profound love left me feeling deeply
cherished. “Pick up your cross. Your testimony may be the answer to someone else’s prayer.” This was a
powerful call to reflect on my own vocation and the unique story God has written for me. Like the saints who
carried their crosses, we are invited to follow Him in faith and love. My experience at SEEK, guided by
Sr. Josephine and the inspiring words of Fr. Mike Schmitz, brought me closer to God. It reminded me of His
unwavering love and helped me reflect on my heart, my vocation, and the beauty of my Catholic faith. SEEK
rekindled my desire to live as someone created with love, for love, and to be loved, and it set my heart on fire
to pursue the path God is calling me to.
